In a stench that fouls air at Dyeratu Trading Centre in Chikwawa, tongues wag about spills of ethanol waste from PressCane’s ethanol factory nearby.
The pollution did not start in January this year when acidic wastewater, called vinasse, burst effluent ponds, flooding homes, croplands, grasslands and trees.
Bondo Dzimbiri recalls last year’s spill, which he claims hurt his 14-year-old daughter’s leg.
“I live about 200 metres from the waste ponds and the spills used to pass through my homestead until PressCane raised the bunds last year.
“Patricia removed her shoes and crossed the blackish water barefoot on the way to school, but she suddenly felt unbearable heat in her foot and developed sores. The Standard Eight girl missed classes for over a month due to this.”
Dzimbiri keeps medical documents in search of justice for the girl who now survives on painkillers a week.
“Every week, I spend K5 000 on painkillers due to pain and itchy f
eet,” he says.
This could be symptomatic of the graver public health threats.
Locals say what once felt like an accidental spill in 2008 became a perennial pollution.
Dzimbiri says spills have worsened since 2023 when PressCane first postponed the commissioning of its K10 billion plant to turn the swelling waste into organic fertiliser.
The delayed waste-to-fertliser factory has left the sludge overflowing, bringing into questions the ethanol company’s commitment to sustainable waste management and surrounding communities’ well-being.
It has also stirred a backlash against regulatory authorities.
Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (Mepa) closed PressCane operation and the National Water Resources Authority imposed a K40 million fine following the January spill.
“The overflows stink and pollute our community. Sometimes I wonder if our lives matter?” asks Peter Mpinganjira, whose evergreen trees were scorched by vinasse.
Mepa, established by the Environment Management Act of 2017 to protect the environment, denies dozing off or siding with the polluter.
All Zim News – Bringing you the latest news and updates.
